Vanity case



June 15 1926. 1,589,317

H. c. KARLSON VANITY CASE Original Filed May 1, 1924 514mm to:

WCWZ.

Clue c1401; who ae,

Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY e.

KABLSON, 0F HASBROUOK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO V. VIVA'U- DOU, INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

VANITY .CASE.

Application filea xe 1, 1924, Serial in. 710,294. Renewed November 10, 1925.

The present invention has reference to devices for distributing powders, and it relates more especially to a container which is insertible into a portable casing.

The main object of the invention is the production of an improved device of the character described, capable of remaining tight under ordinary handling,but which upon pressure ment thereof, will, permit a certain quantity of powder to pass out against an overlying powder-puff, without coming into contact with the'fingers of the person manipulating the latter.

A further object is to provide a device of the class aforesaid, wherein the reaction from a spring urged. closure is transferred through a separate guide element therefor, uniformly to and around the edgerof a primary member away from its upperface.

Another object is the provision in a device of the type specified, ofa closure supported 1n a floating manner beneath a yielding seat so as to have a limited free movement while in contact .therewith.

A still further object is to produce a device of the nature set forth in which means for retaining the aforementioned ieldable seat in its assigned position also a 0rd supports for a resilient medium urging the closure agai 1st said seat.

Still another object resides in producing a device of the kind referred to, having releasable means for holding the closure open at option.

An additional object consists in providing a device of the species mentioned so arranged that the closure thereof may be unseated at will, while a surrounding recep I A general objectv is to furnish a practical de'viceof the genus alluded'to, composed of 'tacle remains in shutcondition.

. a minimum number of simple parts; of light Otherobjects and advantages of the in-.

but: strong and durable. construction, not

.' liablexto get out of working order; convenlent andfreliable in operationflreadil taken apart for-charging with 'pow er; an amen- .able'asw'ell to low cost of manufacture.

. ;ventionf will become apparent as the specificationu roceeds."

being applied to a closure ele- 'The faulty lustrated on the annexed drawing, whereinlike parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Similar devices for the same purpose hitherto proposed have been deemed rather unsatisfactory, because they seemingly did not find a ready market. The reason therefor no doubt was that the structures employed would not ke tight but permitted leakage of powder. .0 a great extent this depended upon the defect thatfeither too wide seats or valves were used, and often times the latter projected beyond their seats.

construction here indicated enabled the powder to lodge between a valve and its seat, or to build up at one side thereof. But, the powder which thus became packed would, when the receptacle was carried about, gradually. shake loose and be spilled. Besldes, the protruding part of a valve was obviously exposed to frequent knocks, causing a slight unseating thereof, which allowed the powder to seep out.- The several disadvantages above mentioned and resulting from the constructions referred to, are overcome by the present invention.

Succin'ctly outlined, the device under consideration includes in its organization a pair of dished members placed in opposed relation one inside of the other, forming together a container fonpowder and ada ted for insertion conjointly into a vanity ox.

said approach is lodged a gasket of liablematerial, projecting with its innere ge inwardly beyondthat of the exit, constituting seat for a valve or closure ele-' a yieldin ment havm'g'its outer edge which is curved,

in apposition thereto. The seat gasket is maiiitained in place, in juxtaposition to,v the lower-side of theapproach by afollower,

the outer rim whereof is suitably secured to the upper container member adjacent to*- its top part. From the interior edge of this follower depend, spaced apart hangers, serving to guide laterally the valve element. These hangers have formed therewith, in-

' wardly projecting foot portions affording anchorages for the extremities of a resilient .medium capable of urging the valve upwardly against the seat Wherewith it coacts. The before mentioned medium consists preferably of a spider spring'having oppositely directed arms disposed in axially ofli'set ara is depressed a predetermined amount, the

engaging catch will lock with the ledge "-above referred to. holding the valve open until pressure is brought to bear eccentrically 'at a certain place thereon, when the same becomes disengaged and resumes its closed position. A clearance opening is preferably formed in the middle part of the spring spider for the. free passage of the catch therethru. For the purpose of enabling the valve element to be depressed so that the powder can be ejected by Way of the exit, while an encompassing vanity. box

remains closed, the bottom of the latter is y provided with an orifice through which the fingers of the operator may be inserted to push upwardly against the lower container member. A powder-puff usually overlying the valve and interposed-between the same and the inside of the cover of the box, produces a reaction when squeezed intermediate the last-mentioned parts, which tends to open the valve element sufficiently for the powder to issue past its seat; In order to prevent leakage of the powder through the orifice, a supplementary bottom is intro duced beneath the underside of the lower container member and the internal face of the bottom of the vanity box, being fastened at its periphery to the latter. The false bottom spoken of,-consists, preferably of an annularlycorrugated diaphragm admitting 50f upward distortion without taking a permanent set.

"Theadvantages of the. invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its fea;

tures instrumentalities are combined in the one and samev structure, but, useful devices nia be produced embodying less than the who 6.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, upon becoming conversant with the details thereof, that the same maybe incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted 'merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

In the said drawing Figure I is a sectional elevation of this improved powder distributing device, combined with a vanity box; shown on an enlarged scale, rearwardly located parts being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. II is a sectional plan view, taken irregularly on the line II-II of'the preceding figure, looking downwardly "thereon;

Fig. III is a fragmentary side elevation of a part of Fig. I; P Fig. IV is a transverse section taken on the line IV-IV ofFig. II, viewed in the direczion of the thereto appertaining arrows; an

on the line VV of Fig. I, looking inthe direction pointed out by the arrows.

Referring now to the several views of the annexed drawings, for a detailed description of the invention, it will be noted that capital letters are employedto designate the known parts of the vanity box, and

the same as used herein, are meant to indicate as well other existing structures to which this improved device is applicable, that is, such entities as are not deemed to pertain to the present improvements, except in so far as they form therewith legiti mate combinations of elements capable of ielding novel and useful results. On the other hand, the elements and members identitled with said improvements, are denoted by reference numerals in the approved manner.

Pursuant therefore, to. the mode of notation herein adopted, A represents the outer upstanding side or wall of a vanity box of well known construction, B the bottom of the same, and C a slightly contracted neck adjoining the side wall near the top thereof. Taking over this neck is a cover D connected to the wall A in any convenient manner. Inside-of the flange usually surrounding the before mentioned cover, is a mirror E, held in place by a ring F, in accordance with prevailing practice.

Removably inserted within the vanity box above referred to, is a container composed of upper and lower members 11, 12 respectively. These members, asshown, are of shallow cup or dish formation, being disposed in inverted and converted relation one inside of the other. The lower con- Fig. V is a fragmentary plan view, taken tainer member which preferably is snugly fitted to the interior of the upper and outer; one, serves as a recipient for loose face or complexion powder placed therein.-

ISA With the object in view of facilitating whereof reaches inwardly juxtaposed to the lower face from the edge of this distributing opening separation of'the said members 11, 12, one from the other, the top and bottom corners thereof may be provided with circumferential beadings 13, 14, respectively. And, in addition thereto, the outer wall of the upper member can be supplied with cutouts or notches in the opposite side thereof, to increase the grip of the operators fingers when taking the members apart.

.- The upper one of the said container members has a head or top part 18 furnished with .a centrally depressed exit or opening 19 through which the powder to be distributed issues. An; upwardly outward flaring or frusto-conical approach 20 leads to a point situated inwardly of the corner beading 13. I

Associated with the underside of the said approach 20 is a gasket 22 of rubber or other pliable material, the inner edge 23 beyond that of the exit 19, constituting a yieldingseat for the curved rim 25 of. a valve or closure element 26.- This valve is preferably of convexo-concave type, having its highest point belo'w the head-18. The means for-retainassigned place,

of the approach 20, consists preferably of a follower 27, h'av mg a border orflange 28 received in the groove fo ming the interior of the beforementioned top corner beading 13. One way. of entering the flange 28 into. this groove, is represented at the right hand side of Fig. I, wherein it is indicated that a substantially annular crimp 3O momentarily formed in the-said flange reduces thewidth thereof sufficiently to enable the follower 27 in its entirety, to within the wall (11) of the upper member. Subsequent to placing the flange 28 in juxtaposition with the inner face of the head 18, the said crimp 30 is flattened, -which causes the said flange 28 to stretch or expand until the edge thereof fills the interior of the beading 13, becoming firmly secured. therein. It will be observed that intermediate the follower proper 27,

ing theseat gasket 22 in its and its flange or border is formed a shouldc]? 32, against which as an abutment, is

' lodged the outer edge of the gasket 22.'

The free or inner margin 34 of the said follower, which by preference is set outwardly away from the corresponding edge of theseat 23, so as to increase the flexibility thereof, has depending therefrom cir= cumferentially spaced legs or hangers 35 constituting a guide cage for the valve element26. The latter is afforded a limited lateral movement within this cage beneath valve 26. constructi valve is depressible, in a wabbly fashion, or the entire valve may be pushed down-- the 'seat wherewith it coacts. The benefit derived from such an arrangement, taken in conjunction with a, narrow. contact between'the seat and the valve, is that the latter in finding a bearing against the former, also tends to free itself of powder which has collected thereon, instead of embedding t e same between meeting surfaces of comparatively large area. The employment of a yielding seat possesses the advantage that not only are imperfections or irregulatrities occurring in the faces of the valve 26 and the edge 19 of the approach 20 absorbed or compensated for, but also minute particles of powder which have become caught between the narrow contacts of the soft seat and the rim of the valve, are-held fast and not as liable to shake loose, as when seized intermediate two metallic surfaces, at such times as the vanity case as a whole is handled or carried about.

At the lower extremities of the hangers 35, are inwardly projecting foot-portions the sides whereof are provided with lugs 37 adapted to be bent over the latter, for a I and II, of theannexed drawing; the before.

named arms are ofiset in groups of preferably not less than three, vat different planes relatively to one another, in opposite directions from the said middle part 43. Those of the arms (41) that are,disposed at a higher level, bear at several places withtheir free ends against the underside of the valve 26,, near'the rim thereof, while the lower arm 40, which have formed therewith enlargements 46, at their outer extremities, are supported on the above mentioned footportions 36. From the foregoing it will be seen that the closure 26 is floating upon a plurality of yielding'supports, directly engaging-and in ofi'set relation thereto. The

lugs 37 pertaining: to the foot-portions 36;

are folded over, upon thearms 40, inwardly beyond their enlargements, and serve to re tam the said star-spring inposition on the foot-portions, while affording the lower arms a slight movement. at such times as-a downward pressure is imposed upon'the onj, oneside or the other ofthis around within the cage composed of the hangers 35, depending both on the amount By virtue of the before described wardlv in an even manner all the way of powder to be educed from the lower container member, and upon the quantity stored therein.

As indicated at 48, the foot-portions 36 may be extended in an inward direction, until they meet as at 49, their said junction being provided with an aperture50, which is smaller in diameter than the opening 44 through the central .part 43 of the star.- spring, but concentric therewith. The lower edge of the aforesaid aperture 50 constitutes an annular ledge with which is adapted to cooperate, the upper face at one side of a head 52 formed at the lower terminal of a stud 53. This stud and head constitute a pendant catch affixed to the underside of the closure element 26 anddisposed eccentrically with relation thereto. By reason of the last mentioned arrangement, the head 52 is capable of taking under the aperture ledge 50 irrespective of their interrelative circumferential positions, providing that the said element 26 is depressed sufficiently ,deep, for the before named engagement and engaging- -means to come into coaction. During normal actuation of the valve ele-' ment, to educe an ordinary supply of powder for a facial application, the, said valve is not pushed down far enough to effect the engagement referred to. But, at such times as it is required to fill or charge the container proper, without removing it from the vanity box, then the valve 26 is forced down until the head of the catch slips by and be comes locked with the lower edge of the aperture 50. When it is desired to disengage the above named locking or detentmeans, pressure is brought to bear upon the said valve element farther away from the center of the latter, than where the catch is located, but on a radial line therewith. This will swing the catch off its ledge. For the purpose of denoting to the operator where to place the finger inorder to perform the disengaging act, a small protuberance 55, may be struck-up from the valves top face. A slight tap by the finger on this raised spot is generally sufficient to free the valve, which then under the influence of its" spring snaps back towards the seat 23.

Inte )osed between the valve element 26 v and the downwardly turned face of the mirto insert a finger and press upwardly on the; underside-of the container, contemporane- .ously with the other fingers of the hand grasping over the cover of the vanity box, to maintain the former shut while shaking or vibrating the latter. The upward pressure of the finger through the orifice 57, acts to raise the container bodily, until its closure element 26 is forced sutliciently hard into contact with the overlying powder-puff to cause the reaction therefrom to depress this element, when obviously small amounts of powder can find their way out, upon agitation of the vanity box in its entirety.

In order to prevent powder from escaping by way ofthe said orifice, a diaphragm 59 is laidthereover upon the inside of the bottom B of the vanity box, being secured by its edges 60 to the adjacent corners of the upstanding walls A of the box. The before named diaphragm is preferably formed with annular corrugations, so as to enable it to partake of considerable distortion without receiving a permanent set therethru. Axial movement applied by the operators finger to the said diaphragm, interposed as represented in Fig. I, intermediate the bottoms of the vanity box and that of the lower container member. is-transmitted to the latter.

The mode of operation of the device will be understood from and has been given in substance with the description of the parts above recited. Suflice it to say that there is nothing to get out of order and no ground-'1 surfaces to be kept tight. The powder is free to flow around the supporting structures for the valve as also underneath the latter without. impeding movement imparted thereto. It is clearly seen, that the lower container member can be omitted, by-

snugly fitting the upper one thereof within the sides of the vanity case, to .prevent leakage of powder therebetween. Furthermore, for low priced articles, it is feasible to omlt, both the means for'locking the valve in Open position, and the distortionable diaphra m. ,Moreover, it is obvious that the Vanity ox may be disregarded, and the interengaging container members used alone, simply by providing the upper member with a plain removable lid.

While a certain preferred embodiment of this device has bcen shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described mv invention what- I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim, is v 1. A device of the class described, com

prising in combination. a member havin a depressed seat, a dished approach extending upwardly outward from the latter, and an upwardly acting spring urged closure 00- operating with the underside of said seat and projecting thereabove, said closure being disposed below the outer limit of said memher in both the open and closed positions.

2. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a member provided at one side thereof with an opening, a valve element cooperating with thelatterprojecting therethru from below and terminating beneath the upper face of the member when in closed position and yielding means intermediate said opening and said element, said means being carried from the underside of said member.

3. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a member formed with an exit through the face thereof, a closure coacting with said exit, a yielding medium interposedbetween the exit and said closure, means for urging the-latter and said medium into engagement one with the other, and other means for holding the medium up against the underside of said member beyond its exit.

4. A device of the character described, comprising in combination, interfitting members formin a container between them, the upper one 0 said members having an opening, a closure element therefor, means urging said element against said opening, a support for said means coacting with said upper member, and yielding means intervenientof the edges of the opening and the element, being held in position intermediate the said member and said support.

5. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a member having'an corners of said conjoined members, lower portion of the top member vided with opposed finger notches, part of the same member having therein an opening, and a spring pressed exit, a yielding seat associated therewit means for holding the latter in its assigned position, and a spring-urged valve cooperating with said seat to close said exit.

6. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a member provided with an opening therein, a yielding seat projecting inwardly of said opening, a follower holding said seat against said member, and

resiliently actuated valve means associated with the free edge of the said-seat...

' 7. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a. member having an opening, a yielding seat constituting the inward continuation of said opening, a follower serving to hold said seat to said member, a valve coacting with the seat, and means urging said valve against the latter supported from said follower.

bottom members together constituting a container, headings extending around the cute! the being pm.-

the upper formed A device of the class described, cdm prising 1n coinbmation, separable top and" valve serving to close-the latter, said valve from the top member substantia'lly above the notches therein lntermediate the headings of both members.

being sustained 9. A device of the class described, coma member having an prising in combination,

seat associated with exit therein, a yielding the latter, projecting inwardly thereof, a

valve coacting with the free edge of said seat, a resilient medium urging said valve thereagainst, and a support for sa d medium connected. to said member serving to 11. A device of the class described, com-. prising in combination, a member having a depressed openin therein, a yielding seat associated with said opening, a retainer for said seat, a valve coacting with the latter, a resilient medium urging said valve against the seat, and means depending from said retainer serving as an anchorage for said medium.

12. A device of the class described, comprising in combination, a member havin an exit at one side thereof, a gasket lodged against the underside of said member with its edge extending inwardly of said e'xit constituting a seat, a sprin pressed valve coacting with the latter, an a follower re taining said gasket in position, said follower including means crimped into engagement with the said member.

13. A device of theclass described, comforming a container, and having an engagement part therewithin, one of said members being provided-with an opening, a valve cooperating with the latter, a medium urging said valve toward said opening, and detent means; adapted toengage sai part in holding the ,valive open against the *action of said medium.

tangentially with the underside of the.

'15. A-device oi the co n together with an overlying poWder-pufi' into a vanity box below its cover, a spring urged valve'closing an opening on said container beneath the powder-puff, and means disposed endwise of the box-enabling the container to be shifted bodily therein to cause squeezing of the powder-puff against the closed cover to open said valve.

16. A vanity case comprisinga container having a member provided with an opening therein, a cage-like element connected ment loosely guided by said hangers, and

means interposed between the element and said valve exerting pressure on the latter near its outer edges to normally hold the same seated against the said member.

HENRY CJKARLSON. 

